NFL Makes a $10 Million Promise to "End Sexual Violence in One Generation"

The NFL announced this morning that it would pony up $10 million over the next five years to fund a new coalition of sexual violence prevention organizations. Its mission: to end sexual violence in one generation.

To make it happen, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault/PreventConnect, and the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence have joined forces to create "Raliance." The collaborative initiative will pool the resources of all three organizations—a move that's made possible by the NFL's unprecedented multi-year commitment to the cause.

According to a press release, the name "Raliance" was "inspired by the entity's intent to rally engagement from stakeholders and align goals and resources behind its overarching mission." Raliance plans to devote its energies to expanding prevention strategies, advancing research, policing media coverage of sexual violence, informing policymaking, supporting services for survivors of abuse, and increasing access to treatment for people at risk of committing crimes of sexual violence. It's a far-reaching mandate, but the women behind the organizations are convinced Raliance has the tools it needs to make a difference.

"Raliance operates under a belief that sexual violence is preventable," said Sandra Henriquez, executive director of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault/PreventConnect, in a statement. We believe that if it can be learned, it can be unlearned." Henriquez added that Raliance plans to "maximize this watershed moment in which the public's awareness and outrage surrounding sexual violence is more heightened than ever before."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

At least one player is on board. Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy issued a call to his fellow athletes in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month, urging them to be active allies for women and to speak out against sexual violence. "It's truly astounding how many awful things that occur in this world because men are afraid of appearing weak," Levy wrote.

The NFL first reached out to NSVRC in 2014, following its widely critiqued handling of incidents of domestic violence and players Ray Rice and Greg Hardy's abusive behavior, in particular. While the league moved fast to reinstate Hardy, who threw his girlfriend against a bathroom wall and chocked her, it has vowed to take issues of sexual violence seriously.

"Sexual assault is an issue that impacts communities worldwide in staggering numbers, and we share Raliance's belief that we all have a responsibility to help change that," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. "We are pleased to help drive real change, support innovative programs and make significant and lasting headway in combating sexual violence. We know that Raliance's important work will make a difference for thousands of women and men around the country."